Chapter 21: Duryodhana reveals his wicked disposition and desire to seize the kingdom by plotting Bhīma’s death; Yudhiṣṭhira takes control under Vidura’s guidance.
The Pandavas then received the rites prescribed by the Vedas, and they grew up enjoying the pleasures of their father’s house. (BORI: 1-119-13)
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While playing with the sons of Dhritarashtra in their father's house, the Pandavas excelled in all the games of childhood. (BORI: 1-119-14)
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In speed, target striking, eating, and dragging others through the dust, Bhimasena bested all the sons of Dhritarashtra. (BORI: 1-119-15)
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In his exuberance, the Pandava would catch them as they played hide-and-seek and, gripping them by the head, make them fight. (BORI: 1-119-16)
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Bhima alone would overpower all one hundred and one of those mighty princes without much difficulty. (BORI: 1-119-17)
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The strong one seized them by the feet, threw them down by force, and dragged them across the ground as they cried out, scraping their knees, heads, and eyes. (BORI: 1-119-18)
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While playing in the water, he would seize ten boys in his arms and remain submerged, releasing them only when they were nearly dead. (BORI: 1-119-19)
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When they climbed a tree to gather fruit, Bhima would shake the tree with a kick. (BORI: 1-119-20)
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Then the boys, sent reeling and shaken loose, came tumbling swiftly down along with the fruit from the tree struck by the force of the blow. (BORI: 1-119-21)
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Those princes, though competing with Vrikodara, could never surpass him in wrestling, speed, or athletic exercises. (BORI: 1-119-22)
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Thus Vrikodara, competing with Dhritarashtra’s sons, constantly acted in ways that displeased them, out of childishness and not with malicious intent. (BORI: 1-119-23)
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Then the mighty son of Dhritarashtra, learning of Bhimasena’s renowned strength, revealed his wicked disposition. (BORI: 1-119-24)
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As he strayed from righteousness and contemplated evil deeds, an evil thought arose in him from delusion and greed for power. (BORI: 1-119-25)
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Let this Kunti-born Bhima, foremost of the strong and the middle of Pandu’s sons, be slain by treachery. (BORI: 1-119-26)
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Then I shall overpower and imprison his younger brother, as well as the eldest, Yudhishthira, and rule the earth. (BORI: 1-119-27)
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Having thus formed his wicked resolve, Duryodhana constantly watched for an opportunity against the noble Bhima. (BORI: 1-119-28)
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Then, O Bharata, he had large, elaborate pavilions of cloth and blankets built for water sports. (BORI: 1-119-29)
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Having reached a certain spot on dry ground at Pramāṇakoṭi, at the end of their games they all, clad in clean garments and finely adorned, leisurely ate the food, which provided everything they could desire. (BORI: 1-119-30)
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At the end of the day, after their sport had left them weary, the heroic scions of Kuru chose to spend the night in the pleasure pavilions themselves. (BORI: 1-119-31)
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Seated there, all the Pandavas and Kauravas enjoyed the many pleasures provided here and there. (KUMB: 1-138-13 (6197))
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Then, having gone to play in that splendid garden, they put various delicacies into one another’s mouths. (KUMB: 1-138-14 (6198))
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Then the wicked Duryodhana, intent on killing Bhimasena, had the poison Kalakuta mixed into his food. (KUMB: 1-138-15 (6199))
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Then, rising himself, he—razor-like at heart but nectar-sweet in speech, like a brother and a friend—... (KUMB: 1-138-16 (6200))
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Acting as cook, he himself served Bhima a large quantity of food, and Bhima devoured it, unaware of the poison. (KUMB: 1-138-17 (6201))
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Then all of them together—the Pandavas and the sons of Dhritarashtra—played in the water, their hearts joyful. (KUMB: 1-138-19 (6203))
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But mighty Bhima, weary then from having exerted himself more than the others, carried the princes who had gone to play in the water. Seeking a place to rest at Pramanakoti, the powerful hero climbed onto that spot and fell asleep. (BORI: 1-119-32)
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Having found a cool place to rest, the weary Pandava, stupefied by intoxication, lay motionless and slept, O king, as though dead. (BORI: 1-119-33)
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Then Duryodhana quietly bound Bhima with cords of creepers and threw him from the bank into the deep water with its fearsome current. (BORI: 1-119-34)
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Vaiśampāyana said: (KUMB: 1-139-0क्ष् (818))
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Then the wicked Duryodhana, having thrown Bhima into the lake of venomous snakes, considered himself to have accomplished his purpose. (KUMB: 1-139-1 (6228))
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When night gave way to dawn, he entered the city, saying, “Bhimasena has gone on ahead of us.” (॥KUMB: 1-139-2 (6229))
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But the righteous Yudhishthira, knowing no evil in himself, judged another by his own measure and regarded him as virtuous. (KUMB: 1-139-3 (6230))
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Then Pārtha, devoted to his brothers, approached his mother, saluted Kuntī, and said, “Mother, has Bhīma come here?” (KUMB: 1-139-4 (6231))
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Where could he have gone, Mother? I do not see him here, gracious lady. The gardens and the forest have been searched on every side. (KUMB: 1-139-5 (6232))
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for him; but we did not see the hero Vrikodara. Then, all of us thinking that he had gone on ahead of us… (KUMB: 1-139-6 (6233))
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We came, noble lady, with troubled hearts. After coming here, where did he go, or where was he sent by you? (KUMB: 1-139-7 (6234))
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Tell me about mighty-armed Bhimasena, illustrious lady, for my mind is uneasy about that hero, fair one. (KUMB: 1-139-8 (6235))
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“For I do not think Bhima is asleep; he has been killed.” Thus addressed by the wise Dharmaraja, Kunti then… (KUMB: 1-139-9 (6236))
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Crying “Alas!” in alarm, she replied to Yudhishthira, “No, my son, I do not see Bhima, and he has not come to me.” (KUMB: 1-139-10 (6237))
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“Quickly make every effort to find him, together with his younger brothers.” The Pandavas hastened to the palace garden and searched for him. (KUMB: 1-139-11 (6238))
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As they searched, the Pandavas all called out, “Bhima! Bhima!” but could not find their brother. (KUMB: 1-139-12 (6239))
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Returning home, they then said to Pritha, “Mother, mighty-armed Bhima has not been found, though we searched for him in the forest.” (KUMB: 1-139-13 (6240))
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We have searched all the gardens and the rivers as well. (KUMB: 1-139-14 (6241))
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Vaiśampāyana said: Then Kunti, having summoned Vidura to her own residence... (KUMB: 1-139-14क्ष् (819))
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She said, “O Kshattr, the mighty Bhimasena is nowhere to be seen.” (KUMB: 1-139-15 (6242))
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All the brothers left the garden together, but mighty-armed Bhima alone has not returned to me here. (KUMB: 1-139-16 (6243))
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Nor is he ever pleasing in Duryodhana’s sight. That cruel, wicked-minded, petty, shameless man, greedy for the kingdom… (KUMB: 1-139-17 (6244))
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In a fit of rage, Suyodhana might even kill that hero. Therefore my mind is troubled, and my heart seems to burn. (KUMB: 1-139-18 (6245))
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Vidura said: (KUMB: 1-139-19क्ष् (820))
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Do not speak so, gracious lady. Protect those who remain, for that wicked man, if rebuffed, might attack even the rest of your children. (KUMB: 1-139-19 (6246))
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Your sons will be long-lived, as the great sage said. Your son will come and bring you joy. (KUMB: 1-139-20 (6247))
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Vaiśampāyana said: (KUMB: 1-139-21क्ष् (821))
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Having said this, the wise Vidura went to his own residence. Kunti remained at home with her sons, absorbed in anxious thought. (KUMB: 1-139-21 (6248))
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Unconscious, the Pandava sank headfirst to the bottom of the water, landing upon young Nagas in their abode. (KUMB: 1-138-25; NILA: 01.128.055)
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Then many highly venomous, exceedingly fierce serpents with great fangs gathered and bit Bhima savagely. (KUMB: 1-138-26 (6210))
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Although those fanged serpents sank their fangs even into his vital points, they could not pierce the skin of the broad-chested man because of its toughness. (BORI: 1-119-37)
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Then Kunti’s mighty son Bhimasena rose and swiftly returned to his mother. (KUMB: 1-139-31 (6258))
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Then, after respectfully greeting his mother and his elder brother, the crusher of foes kissed his younger brothers on the head. (KUMB: 1-139-32 (6259))
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He in turn was warmly embraced by those best of men and by his mother; in their mutual affection, they exclaimed, “Thank heaven! Thank heaven!” (KUMB: 1-139-33 (6260))
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Then Bhimasena, mighty in strength and valor, told his brothers everything Duryodhana had done. (KUMB: 1-139-34 (6261))
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Then King Yudhishthira spoke these meaningful words to Bhima: “Be silent. You must never speak of this matter.” (KUMB: 1-139-36 (6263))
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“From now on, carefully protect this son of Kunti and one another.” Having said this, mighty-armed King Yudhishthira, the lord of dharma… (KUMB: 1-139-37 (6264))
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Together with all his brothers, he then remained vigilant. But when the Pandavas learned of that deed of his… (KUMB: 1-139-38 (6265))
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But they made little of it, taking care to keep the matter secret. The wise and righteous Vidura gave them counsel. (KUMB: 1-139-39 (6266))
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Duryodhana too, seeing that Pandava returned, sighs and broods in this way, tormented day after day. (KUMB: 1-139-40 (6267))
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Once again, he had poison put into Bhimasena’s food—fresh, virulent Kalakuta poison, gathered in a quantity that made the hair stand on end. (BORI: 1-119-39)
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The son of a Vaishya revealed this out of concern for the sons of Pritha; but Vrikodara ate it and digested it without suffering any ill effects. (BORI: 1-119-40)
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For even that extremely potent poison had no effect on him. Bhima, with his formidable constitution, then digested it as well. (BORI: 1-119-41)
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The Pandavas too, those subduers of foes, were aware of all this, but, following Vidura’s counsel, they gave no sign of it. (BORI: 1-119-43)
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Then Kunti’s son awoke, tore apart all his bonds, and rose once more from the water—Bhima, the foremost of warriors. (BORI: 1-119-35)
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And once again, while Bhima slept, he had enraged snakes with sharp fangs and deadly venom bite him at every vital point on his body. (BORI: 1-119-36)
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But Bhima, enraged, crushed all those snakes and killed the man’s beloved charioteer with a blow of his hand. (BORI: 1-119-38)
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Thus Duryodhana, Karna, and Shakuni, the son of Subala, repeatedly sought by many means to kill the Pandavas. (BORI: 1-119-42)
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With the priest’s assistance, they acted as was proper. (KUMB: 1-137-2)
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And because of the Kurus’ misrule, the earth will cease to exist. (KUMB: 1-137-8; NILA: 01.128.008)
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Some with their heads and chests crushed, others with their hips and faces broken—all the brothers fell, battered by Bhimasena’s arms. (KUMB: 1-137-23)
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Vigorous, mighty, and endowed with great valor, Vrikodara alone contends with all of us together. (KUMB: 1-137-29; KUMB: 1-138-1; KUMB: 1-138-2; NILA: 01.128.028)
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But while he sleeps in the palace garden, we shall throw him into the Ganges. (KUMB: 1-137-30; KUMB: 1-138-2; NILA: 01.128.029)
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There he had many buildings of various kinds constructed, fully supplied with every amenity and adorned with lofty banners. (KUMB: 1-137-33; NILA: 01.128.032)
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He had it made, O Bharata, and named it the Water-Pleasure Pavilion. (KUMB: 1-137-34; NILA: 01.128.033)
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There, men skilled in cookery prepared foods to chew, dishes to eat, drinks, and things to suck and lick. (KUMB: 1-138-4; NILA: 01.128.034)
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The servants then reported this to Dhritarashtra’s son. Thereupon the wicked-minded Duryodhana said to the Pandavas: (KUMB: 1-138-5; NILA: 01.128.035)
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Let us follow the Ganges, adorned with gardens and groves; all of us brothers together shall enjoy ourselves in the water. (KUMB: 1-138-6; NILA: 01.128.036)
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“So be it,” Yudhishthira replied to him. Then they, in chariots resembling cities and on magnificent elephants native to the land... (KUMB: 1-138-7; NILA: 01.128.037)
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The heroic Kauravas set out from the city together with the Pandavas. Upon reaching the pleasure grove and dismissing the crowd… (KUMB: 1-138-8; NILA: 01.128.038)
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Then all those heroic brothers entered like lions entering a mountain cave, gazing at the garden… (KUMB: 1-138-9; NILA: 01.128.039)
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adorned with gleaming reception halls and balconies, with windows and latticework, and also with movable mechanical devices... (KUMB: 1-138-10; NILA: 01.128.040)
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swept clean by builders and decorated by painters, with brimming pools and lotus ponds… (KUMB: 1-138-11; NILA: 01.128.041)
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That water shone beautifully, covered with blooming lotuses, while the earth was likewise carpeted with flowers appropriate to each season. (KUMB: 1-138-12; NILA: 01.128.042)
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Seated there, all the Pandavas and Kauravas enjoyed the many delights provided in various places. (KUMB: 1-138-13; NILA: 01.128.043)
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Then, as they played in that splendid garden, they offered one another various foods, placing them directly into each other’s mouths. (KUMB: 1-138-14; NILA: 01.128.044)
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Then the wicked Duryodhana, wishing to kill Bhimasena, had the kālakūṭa poison mixed into his food. (KUMB: 1-138-15; NILA: 01.128.045)
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Then, rising himself—razor-like at heart but nectar-like in speech, like a master and a friend—he… (KUMB: 1-138-16; NILA: 01.128.046)
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The evildoer himself set a great quantity of food before Bhima, who had been waiting for it, unaware of its taint. (KUMB: 1-138-17; NILA: 01.128.047)
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Then Duryodhana, inwardly exulting there, considered himself as though he had accomplished his purpose—that lowest of men. (KUMB: 1-138-18; NILA: 01.128.048)
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Then all of them together—the Pandavas and the sons of Dhritarashtra, their hearts joyful—played in the water. (KUMB: 1-138-19; NILA: 01.128.049)
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and with his body overcome by poison… (KUMB: 1-138-22; NILA: 01.128.053)
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and having quickly planted stakes in the water a span apart… (KUMB: 1-138-23)
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Because his life was not yet at an end, the Pandava did not strike a spike in the spike-filled water. By chance, there was no spike where he fell. (KUMB: 1-138-24; KUMB: 1-138-25)
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He fell at a spot where, by chance, there was no stake. Unconscious, the Pandava sank downward to the bottom of the water, landing upon the young Nagas in their dwelling. (KUMB: 1-138-25 (6209))
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Then Bhima was savagely bitten by many serpents that had gathered together, highly venomous, with great fangs and virulent poison. (KUMB: 1-138-26; NILA: 01.128.056)
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Then, as he was being bitten, the Kālakūṭa poison in him—the immobile poison—was neutralized by the snakes’ mobile poison. (KUMB: 1-138-27; NILA: 01.128.057)
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Even the fangs of those venomous serpents, sunk into his vital points, could not pierce his skin, so strong was the broad-chested hero. (KUMB: 1-138-28; NILA: 01.128.058)
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Then Kunti’s son awoke, tore through all his bonds, and crushed them all; some fled in terror. (KUMB: 1-138-29; NILA: 01.128.059)
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All those whom Bhima had left alive went to Vasuki and addressed the serpent king Vasuki, who was equal to Indra: (KUMB: 1-138-30; NILA: 01.128.060)
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This man, O king of the Nagas, was bound and cast into the water. And in our judgment, O hero, he must have drunk poison. (KUMB: 1-138-31; NILA: 01.128.061)
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He reached us unconscious, but when bitten he awoke and regained consciousness; then, quickly breaking his bonds, he ... us. (KUMB: 1-138-32; NILA: 01.128.062)
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You should find out who that mighty-armed man doing the beating is. Then, as Vasuki approached, accompanied by the serpents… (KUMB: 1-138-33; NILA: 01.128.063)
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He saw mighty-armed Bhima, whose prowess was fearsome; Bhima was also seen by Aryaka, Pṛthā’s grandfather. (KUMB: 1-138-34; NILA: 01.128.064)
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Then he, the son of Aryaka’s daughter’s son’s daughter, was clasped in a very tight embrace, and the illustrious Vasuki was greatly pleased with him. (KUMB: 1-138-35; NILA: 01.128.065)
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The lord of the Nāgas said to him, “What can be done to please him? Let him be given a wealth of riches, a store of jewels, and treasure.” (KUMB: 1-138-36; NILA: 01.128.066)
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Thus addressed, the Naga replied to Vasuki: “If you are pleased, lord of the Nagas, what use has he for heaps of wealth?” (KUMB: 1-138-37; NILA: 01.128.067)
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Now that you are pleased, let this mighty boy drink the elixir from the vat in which the strength of a thousand Nagas resides. (KUMB: 1-138-38; NILA: 01.128.068)
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“Let him be given as much as this boy can drink.” Vāsuki replied to the serpent, “So be it.” (KUMB: 1-138-39; NILA: 01.128.069)
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Then the serpents performed auspicious rites for Bhima, and the purified Pandava sat facing east and drank the elixir. (KUMB: 1-138-40; NILA: 01.128.070)
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Then the immensely powerful Pandava drank a vat in a single draught. In this way, the son of Pandu drank eight vats. (KUMB: 1-138-41; NILA: 01.128.071)
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Then the mighty-armed Bhimasena, the subduer of foes, slept at ease on a splendid bed provided by the Nagas. (KUMB: 1-138-42; NILA: 01.128.072)
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Then, on the eighth day, when the potion had been digested, the immeasurably powerful Pandava awoke, full of strength. (KUMB: 1-139-22; NILA: 01.129.020)
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Seeing the Pandava regain consciousness, the serpents calmly reassured him and said: (KUMB: 1-139-23; NILA: 01.129.021)
[PV-SVO:01_021_119]
Because you have drunk this strength-filled elixir, mighty-armed hero, you will possess the strength of ten thousand elephants and be invincible in battle. (KUMB: 1-139-24; NILA: 01.129.022)
[PV-SVO:01_021_120]
Now return to your own home after bathing in these divine waters. Your brothers are grieving in your absence, foremost of the Kurus. (KUMB: 1-139-25; NILA: 01.129.023)
[PV-SVO:01_021_121]
Then, after bathing, the mighty-armed hero, purified and wearing white garments and garlands, had auspicious protective rites performed for him in the Nāga’s palace… (KUMB: 1-139-26; NILA: 01.129.024)
[PV-SVO:01_021_122]
The mighty one ate the finest food, given to him by the Nagas and specially prepared with fragrant, poison-destroying herbs. (KUMB: 1-139-27; NILA: 01.129.025)
[PV-SVO:01_021_123]
Honored by the serpents and acclaimed with blessings, the heroic Pandava, adorned with celestial ornaments, took leave of the Nagas… (KUMB: 1-139-28; NILA: 01.129.026)
[PV-SVO:01_021_124]
The conqueror of foes rose joyfully from the realm of the Nagas. But he, lotus-eyed, lifted out of the water by a Naga… (KUMB: 1-139-29; NILA: 01.129.027)
[PV-SVO:01_021_125]
The delight of the Kuru line was set down in that very part of the forest, and the serpents vanished before the Pāṇḍava’s very eyes. (KUMB: 1-139-30; NILA: 01.129.028)
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The Pandava also recounted in full everything that had happened in the realm of the Nagas, both good and bad. (KUMB: 1-139-35; NILA: 01.129.033)
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Freed, the mighty hero did not realize that he had done it. (KUMB: 1-137-41)
[PV-SVO:01_021_128]
Overcome by sleep once more, the mighty man slept there again. When midnight had passed, the Kuru and Pandava princes arose. But when Duryodhana saw Kunti’s son, he fell into despair. (KUMB: 1-137-42)
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Then, on another day, O king, the fiercely resentful man, intent on killing him, conferred with Valana and followed Saubala’s counsel. (KUMB: 1-137-46)
[PV-SVO:01_021_130]
Then, on another day, O king, wishing to kill Vṛkodara… (KUMB: 1-137-49)
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With Saubala’s assistance, Dhritarashtra’s son plotted. Brooding tirelessly day and night, he could not sleep. (KUMB: 1-137-50)
[PV-SVO:01_021_132]